Holly tree named &#39;IABOF&#39;

ABSTRACT

A holly tree ( Ilex attenuata ) named ‘IABOF’ having a compact, dense canopy, an increased caliper to height ratio, reduced berry weight load and also capable of being reproduced reliably from vegetative cuttings.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Ilex×attenuate

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

Holly tree which I have named ‘IABOF’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of a holly tree (Ilex×attenuata), which I have named ‘IABOF’.

-   Discovery:

I discovered my new tree in the summer of 2002 growing in a production field in Belleview, Fla. among a group of cultivated East Palatka holly trees. These trees were grown from 3 gallon liners purchased in the spring of 2001 from a nursery in Florida. In the summer of 2002, these liners were stepped up into larger containers and relocated to a production field. It was here that I discovered the claimed cultivar ‘IABOF.’ Evaluation of this tree continued in this field until it was relocated to an observation area at the University of Georgia, Department of Horticulture Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. in 2006.

-   Propagation:

‘IABOF’ was asexually propagated by the method of vegetative cutting in the summer of 2003 in Belleville, Fla. using four inch long cuttings quick dipped in 2500 Indole-3-butyric acid and 1250 1 -naphthaleneacetic acid without wounding. This propagation from semi-hardwood cuttings in a peat-perlite media took approximately 10 weeks to complete. Resulting progeny has proven the characteristics of my new variety to be genetically stable. Furthermore, these observations have confirmed that my new variety represents a new and improved variety of holly tree as particularly evidenced by a shorter internode length which develops a more compact, dense canopy, an increased caliper to height ratio, and reduced berry weight load.

-   Uniqueness:

‘IABOF’ was discovered in a block of seedling East Palatka holly trees purchased by a nursery from a supplier of liners in Florida. I claim that the genetic characteristics of this tree are the result of naturally occurring cross-pollination. Due to the nature of the liner purchase, the exact source of the mutation is not known. These improved characteristics distinguish my new trees from other typical East Palatka holly trees. At the time this tree was selected, I observed the ‘IABOF’ holly tree as a darker green, compact growing holly tree having a heavy caliper, reduced fruiting weight load, and tight internode spacing. The remaining trees in this block were typical of the species with irregular structure, branches drooping from berry weight, and signs of Sphaeropsis knot susceptibility. I claim that my ‘IABOF’ exhibits improved structural and aesthetic qualities in comparison to traditional East Palatka holly trees.

-   Use:

‘IABOF’ was observed for a period of several years and is believed to be particularly useful for street tree planting and in large areas such as, but not limited to, golf courses, commercial sites and parks. ‘IABOF’ will also benefit growers who will profit from a consistent growing tree having a compact form and reduced weight load damage resulting from berry production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

-   Background:

An East Palatka holly tree, which was discovered as a hybrid in East Palatka, Fla. in the 1920's, is typically pyramidal-shaped in youth and develops an upright oval canopy at maturity. The East Palatka holly tree is native to central Florida. It thrives well in the heat and humidity of the southeastern United States. East Palatka holly trees prefer moist, well-drained soils in these areas, but adapts readily to harsh conditions such as poor drainage, compacted soils, and drought. My new cultivar differs from the species in that it is more compact in height and width, heavier in caliper to height ratio, has shorter internode length and is less susceptible to branch damage due to reduced weight of berries. I expect my new variety ‘IABOF’ to perform as well as the species.

-   Industry Representation:

A cultivated East Palatka holly tree is represented in the industry by materials reproduced by vegetative cuttings from multiple sources. This accounts for a degree of variability in growth rate and habit both in the landscape industry and nursery industry. East Palatka holly trees are widely used in the coastal southeastern United States as an evergreen screen and specimen accent tree. At the time of this submittal, there is no cultivar selection of East Palatka holly tree that I am aware of in the nursery industry. The dark foliage color, reduced berry load, compact pyramidal form and increased caliper make my selection unique.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs depict the color and foliage of my new variety East Palatka holly tree as nearly as is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

FIG. 1, taken at the University of Georgia, Department of Horticulture Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. in 2006, shows the transplanted parent tree at 5 years old, 6.5 feet high, 3.0 feet wide and 2.0 inches in caliper. This photo depicts pyramidal habit with dense branching;

FIG. 2, taken at the University of Georgia, Department of Horticulture Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. in Late summer of 2006, shows the foliage and fruit of the ‘IABOF’ parent tree;

FIG. 3 shows the lower leaf surface of my new variety of holly tree; and

FIG. 4 shows the trunk of my new variety of holly tree.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

-   Botanical description of the plant: The following is a detailed     description of the ‘IABOF’ holly tree with color terminology in     accordance with The Royal Horticulture Society (R.H.S.) color chart     except where the context indicates a term having its plain and     ordinary meaning. My new tree has not been observed under all     growing conditions and variations may occur as a result of different     growing conditions. All progeny of my new variety, insofar as have     been observed, have remained genetically stable in all     characteristics described hereinafter. Other than as set out     hereinafter, as of this time, no other characteristics have been     observed by the inventor are different from that of common East     Palatka holly trees.     -   -   Parentage.—Seedling of East Palatka holly trees grown from             container liner purchased in 2001 from a nursery in Florida.         -   Locality where grown and observed.—‘IABOF’ holly trees are             currently in production at a nursery in Belleview, Marion             County, Fla. This area of Marion County has a sandy loam             soil type with rainfall that varies between 30 inches and 60             inches annually. This particular area is located in USDA             Hardiness Zone 9.         -   Size and growth rate.—The original tree, aged 5 years             measured 2.0 inches in caliper at 6.0 inches above the             ground. The height of 6.5 feet and spread of 3.0 feet             provides a 2.17 height to width ratio. Prior to my ‘IABOF’             holly tree being transplanted to the observation area, the             average growth rate was 1.25 feet in height per year.         -   Foliage.—Alternate, simple, ovate-rounded. The leaf margin             is entire with a terminal spine, cuspidate tip and cuneate             base. Entire dimension: 1.25 inches wide by 2.5 inches long.             Upper surface is smooth, waxy with medium green like (RHS             137C). The underside is smooth, waxy and yellow green like             (RHS144B). The midrib vein color is yellow green like             (RHS144C). The internode length is 0.33 inches.         -   Petiole.—⅜ inch long with channeled texture on upper surface             and orange red like (RHS31C).         -   Stem.—1 year wood is yellow green like (RHS145B) and has             pubescence.         -   Flowers.—Early to mid May without fragrance. Size is ¼ inch             wide and 1/10 inch high with 4 oblong petals that have             rounded tips that are green white like (RHS157D) fading to             grayed-orange like (RHS 1 66D).         -   Buds.—Flower buds are ovate, 1/12 inch long and wide and             angled at 30-45 degrees and upright color that is green like             (RHS 138B).         -   Fruit.—Occurs in tight clusters that are ⅕ inch to ¼ inch             diameter and are glossy red like (RHS43A). Fruit appears in             late November to mid December.         -   Trunk.—Smooth, gray, becoming gray-brown like (RHS201 B). At             time of submittal, the trunk diameter was 2.0 inches             measured 6.0 inches above the ground.         -   Branching.—Slightly ascending to nearly horizontal at the             base, emerging at 80-90 degrees from the trunk. Upper             branches are more ascending, emerging at 30 degrees or more             from the trunk. Color is gray (RHS 195B), becoming             gray-brown with age.         -   Shape.—Broad pyramidal with dense branching and dominant             central leader.         -   Root system.—Fibrous.         -   Vigor.—In production, the progeny have averaged 1.25 feet of             vertical new growth per year. The root development from time             of softwood cuttings to a finished rooted 3.5 inch pot is             five to seven weeks.         -   Disease.—Less susceptible to Sphaeropsis.         -   Pests.—Susceptible to spittlebug. 

1. A new and distinct holly tree named ‘IABOF’ substantially as herein shown, illustrated and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by its shorter internode length which develops a more compact, dense canopy, an increased caliper to height ratio and reduced berry weight load. 